Jaffna Lorry owners on token strike protesting attacks

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 January 2009, 11:25 GMT]
More than 400 lorry owners carried out a token strike Thursday in protest against the attack by unidentified persons on several lorries Wednesday evening at Koa’ndaavil in Jaffna. The strike brought to standstill the transport of goods from Kaangkeasanthu’rai harbour to the government stores in Koa’ndaavil and Naavatkuzhi and the distribution services from these stores, sources in Jaffna said.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) officials attended an urgent meeting convened by Jaffna Government Agent (GA) with the representatives of the Lorry Owners’ Union (LOU), and said that they would produce the persons who attacked the lorries in the court of law, the sources added.

Moreover, the GA promised the LOU that compensation will be paid for the damages caused to the lorries by the attackers.

The wind shields of the lorries had been shattered by the attackers.

The meeting took place Thursday afternoon, and following the assurance of the GA and the SLA officials LOU called off its token strike Thursday evening.

The lorries will be in service Friday as usual, LOU representatives said.